Top 10 Things to Do in Chennai

The eccentric capital of Tamil Nadu known as Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the fourth largest metropolitan city of India. It is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, giving the city some beautiful and vast beaches. This sprawling city is full of exciting things to do, and for a tourist it is nothing short of adventurous. Be it the older regions of Madras or the stunning architecture of the developed Chennai, it is sure to leave one asking for more. Check out the following awesome things to do in Chennai on your next visit.

1. Visit the Royal Enfield Factory

Whether or not you’re a bike enthusiast, watching how the legendary Royal Enfield motorcycles are made is a delight to the eyes. However, if you’re an Enfield lover, this factory will be paradise as you can witness the making of the classic Bullet amongst many such models. It can be found at Tiruvattiyour High Road.

2. Adventure at Madras Crocodile Bank

Photo by Keshav Mukund Kandhadai, CC BY 2.0

Fancy an adrenaline pumping ride? Grab your friends and head over to the Crocodile Bank located at Kovalam, where you can find reptiles being preserved in the herpetology research lab. It has many crocodile and alligator species through which you can not only gather more knowledge about crocodiles but also watch them in their natural habitat.

3. Stroll at the Beaches

Photo by Sakena, CC BY 2.0

Probably the most popular and best part about Chennai is its beaches. There are a number of beaches that you can visit, like the Marina Beach, Golden Beach, Besant Nagar Beach, Covelong Beach, and Elliot’s Beach among many others. Take a night time stroll or enjoy the warm sand beneath your feet in the day. Beach resorts can be found at some of these beaches where you can spend a night and watch the sunrise illuminate the coast.

4. Wildlife at Guindy National Park

Photo by abhidg, CC BY 2.0

Right beside the Crocodile Bank is located the Guindy National Park, one of the most interesting national parks and home to various wildlife and plant species, namely blackbucks, hedgehogs, pangolins, jackals, hyenas, turtles and many bird species as well. With a few lakes and streams flowing amidst the vast park, it also comprises of a few restricted areas that are invariably eye-catching.

5. Sightseeing at Mylapore

Photo by Dhilip Sivaramakrishnan, CC BY-ND 2.0

The Kalpaeshwar temple at Mylapore is a sight you’d never dare to miss. Also with the many ancient places to visit at this part of Chennai, you’ll end up spending most of your time there with nothing to lose. Mylapore continues to be one of the best regions of Chennai even today.

6. Seeing Stars at Birla Planetarium

A virtual and enchanting view of the night sky and daily shows that demonstrate the cosmic and mesmerizing parts of the galaxy at the Birla Planetarium are quite a delight. It is located at Kotturpuram in Chennai.

7. Fun at Queens Land

Photo by Vijay5050, CC0 1.0

An amusement park that will have you exhausted at the end of immense fun is everything we want, and Queens Land at Poonamallee will give you just that. Spend hours of fun with family and friends ensuring an adventurous day.

8. Shopping at Express Avenue Mall

Photo by Phinehaz, CC BY-SA 3.0

Possibly the most popular mall of Chennai is Express Avenue found in the bustling Royapettah region, consisting of the largest gaming arcade in southern India. Shop and enjoy at the mall to your heart’s content!

9. Dine at Park Hyatt Hotel

This luxury hotel in Velacherry is exactly what a five-star means. Round off your day with a sumptuous and lavish dinner at Park Hyatt and experience a perfect end to your adventure in Chennai.

10. Cultural Enlightenment at Dakshinachitra

Photo by Koshy Koshy, CC BY 2.0

Chennai has its roots in its culture that dates back to many centuries. Ancient artefacts, beautiful palatial grounds and mesmerizing architecture are just examples of how deep the history of this city runs. You can explore the cultural, historical and mythological sphere of Chennai by visiting Dakshinchitra, which can be found close to the Artists’ Village. Here you can find handcrafted materials at the craft shop, and watch the cultural history of the south of India unfold before your eyes.

Chennai has endless possibilities of things that one can do, and one trip is just not enough to explore the depths of this intriguing southern state of India. But even if a few of the aforesaid are indulged in, there is nothing that will stop Chennai from being etched across your memory.

About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

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